ESA consortium to bring wireless broadband to EU's remote areas
The European Space Agency (ESA) will provide one-third of the 120 million euro funding for a new satellite system, which will enable Europeans to access broadband in the most inaccessible places. The satellite, to be called HYLAS (Highly Adaptable Satellite, but also Heracles' lover and Argonaut in ancient Greek mythology), will give broadband cover to 22 European countries, specifically targeting those areas that current communication routes have failed to reach. The Hylas satellite will also distribute television of HD (high-definition) quality to the bulk of Europe. Giuseppe Viriglio is director of ESA's EU and Industry programmes. 'HYLAS will play an important role in demonstrating the advanced technological capabilities of European space companies which are truly competitive on a global scale. It also makes significant progress in solving the social problem of poor broadband coverage in many parts of Europe and serves as a template for future large scale projects.' Broadband is by no means universal in Europe. The satellite solution enables all of the inaccessible areas to be accessible at once. The satellite will finally give between 150,000 and 300,000 potential broadband users the chance to use fast Internet, following the satellite's launch in 2008. The Hylas broadband system will contribute towards meeting Lisbon agenda goals, which include increasing broadband Internet connections in homes. The system will most likely be used in villages, where a single receiver and modem, with a cost of 150 to 225 euro will provide enough broadband for several homes, making the costs competitive with existing solutions.